The Daily News opinion blog

Main menu

Post navigation

Yes, the Song Remains the Same

I’m in heaven, and, yes, a Stairway took me there. The critics, who once derided Led Zeppelin, are jealously one-upping one another in praising their latest and most definitive reunion.

I became a Led Zeppelin fan around 1980 — only a few months before they broke up. Zeppelin fever would only last a few more months at my Thousand Oaks high school, then would be replaced by new wave. Purple-haired Oingo Boingo fans would mock me as a dinosaur, as would my preppy USC classmates the next few years. My 1977 Led Zeppelin concert shirt was derided as hopelessly outdated, even just a few years later. Now, my two-year-old niece wears on. Now, Led Zeppelin is revered by aspiring musicians, by prestigious conservatory faculty members, and by millions around the world. I wasn’t in London on Monday, but reading the reviews, I may as well have been.

What the mockers of 1982 didn’t know is that fashion and social and political trends go in cycles, but quality endures. Rock never progressed, in terms of range, adventurousness and quality, beyond Led Zeppelin — which is why new rock heroes such as Dave Grohl worship the band (Grohl even hoped publicly for the chance to play drums for the band, though he acknowledged that the proper choice was Jason Bonham, the son of Zep drummer John Bonham).

I am thrilled to see quality get paid its proper respects, and I’m even happier for my hero Jimmy Page than I am for my vindicated self.

Rob, consider me a soulmate. I began a LedZep fan in high school. One of the all time greats …

Now if I could just come up with $400 for a ticket!

Rob A.

Chris, I always knew you were top-notch! This just reconfirms it. I’m conflicted about whether I want them to do a tour. I’m like a mother hen, not wanting our old boys to hurt themselves or fail to live up to the standard of this past Monday!

Dave

That they pulled it off without the Original Bonham’s heavy hands and feet is amazing.If you looked at the highlights on the web, it sure seemed like it was shot for an impending DVD release. The hammer of the gods might swing our way yet again.

Eddie

The closest I ever got to hearing Zeppelin live was when my friend exited the show at the Forum; shot over to a payphone (remember those?) in the lobby and held the phone out while LZ thundered through Dazed and Confused. That was a defining moment in my life.